…A Snails Pace…

October 6, 2017

“The intriguing placidity from the slothful pace of a snail is truly very peaceful. Our world is in need of this calmness to pacify itself” ― Munia Khan

Today is my daughter’s 6th birthday, and what should appear in our driveway but this Giant African Snail (Achatina fulica), just casually making its way along. She was enamored with how big it was (about 6 inches long), how slow it moved, and the slime trail it left behind.

It gave me pause today, as when I had my daughter I promised myself I would walk with her as she grew up. Yes, sometimes she is going faster than I would like…but no matter how she moves, I am not running, not jogging, not standing still as she goes by…but walking beside her, allowing her to lead.

How often we are in such a hurry in life, where nothing ever seems to stop long enough for us to truly capture it…to put it in the memory bank and keep it.

This snail this morning is reminding me, that while the years with my daughter keep going by…do not run, do not push, do not stand still…walk. Walk along and hear her voice, walk along and see her change, walk along and listen to her ideas…bank it.

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it. (21)” ― Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

Thank you so much. We saw it the other morning but I did not get a picture. Then it was gone for a few days and suddenly showed back up just “walking” along. Easy to take a picture of a snail…I could take my time! HA!